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ALEXANDRIA PARK COMMUNITY SCHOOL
High School Information, 2019
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Principal’s Message
Welcome to Alexandria Park Community School. We are thrilled to provide you with an insight into the exciting, safe and dynamic learning environment of our secondary school. Our relentless focus on academic achievement, personal excellence and educational opportunities for every student is driven by highly qualified, committed teachers and specialist staff, our high expectations for all students and our innovative and diverse programs.
Our wide range of elective and HSC courses provide options for everyone, and our community partnerships facilitate unique and diverse opportunities for personal excellence in areas such as music, dance, drama, business, the sciences, hospitality and technology. Our partnerships with local tertiary institutions and universities also provide enhanced choices and advantages for our students. As our high school enrolments continue to grow we look forward to welcoming you to our school community and adding your child’s educational experiences and achievements to the long list of outstanding ex-students who remain a part of our Alexandria Park Community School family. I look forward to meeting you at information day and developing a relationship with you to support your child’s transition to high school.
Diane Fetherston Principal CO
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School Student Leadership Alexandria Park Community School has a well-respected Student Leadership Team, who are our elected leaders along with the Student Representative Council (SRC). Our School Captains for2019 are: Trinity Paulson, Judie Wang, Igor Andonov and Angela Fu These leaders represent the school at official functions and actively participate in school events, including school assemblies and community meetings. The SRC has an active voice within the school and community. Student members identify student needs and concerns and are proactive in initiating change within their school community.
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English Courses Offered;
YEARS 7-10
• Mandatory English
YEARS 11-12
Mandatory with course choices of:
• English Advanced
• English Standard
• English Studies
• EAL/D (conditions apply)
• Extension 1
• Extension 2 (Year 12 only)
In English we believe that our students learn best when they are actively engaged in language experiences that encompass spoken, written and visual texts. We aim for all students to be self-directed, motivated and empowered users of English for communication, knowledge and enjoyment.
To engage, inspire and motivate our students in English our teachers:
• Promote a collaborative, positive and challenging learning environment • Encourage intellectual growth and critical thinking • Develop effective problem-solving and communication skills • Integrate technology into learning experiences in meaningful ways • Work with other faculties to embed learning through cross-curricula tasks and
projects • Encourage lifelong learning
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Mathematics Courses Offered:
YEAR 7 – 8:
• Mathematics
YEAR 9 – 10
• Mathematics
(3 pathways – 5.1, 5.2, 5.3)
YEAR 11-12:
• Mathematics
• Mathematics Extension 1
• Mathematics Extension 2
• Mathematics General 1
• Mathematics General 2
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In Mathematics we believe that our students learn best when engaged in stimulating, inclusive and challenging activities so as to develop and enhance their mathematical skill. Student learning is enriched when they are given opportunities to develop their own ability to make informed decisions and to interpret and apply mathematics in a variety of contexts. Students learn best when being able to discover and appreciate the dynamic nature of Mathematics through mathematical modelling so as to conceptualise complex ideas that change under varying conditions. To engage, inspire and motivate students in Mathematics our teachers provide challenging, engaging, inclusive, differentiated and stimulating programs and lessons, extension and enrichment opportunities.
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Human Society & Its Environment Courses Offered
YEAR 7 AND 8:
• History
• Geography
OTHER SUBJECTS
YEARS 9 AND 10:
• History
• Geography
• Commerce
• Elective History
YEAR 11 AND 12:
• Aboriginal Studies
• Ancient History
• Business Studies
• Economics
• Extension History
• Legal Studies
• Modern History
• Work Studies
Human Society and Its Environment is a dynamic faculty that teaches across the
humanities. Through our varied and interesting teaching and learning programs we
aim to make significant connections to the world around us to enable students to
become active, informed and responsible citizens. Within the classroom students
undertake quality assessment and develop a deep understanding of the content being studied and develop critical thinking skills. To support the teaching and learning that occurs in the classroom, on offer is an extensive range of experiences comprising of excursions, fieldwork, guest speakers, competitions, lectures, connections with industry experts and leadership experiences.
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Physical Development, Health & Physical Education
Courses Offered
YEAR 7 – 10: MANDATORY PDHPE
YEAR 9 AND 10: Physical Activity & Sports Studies
YEAR 11 AND 12: PDHPE & SLR
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In PDHPE we believe that our students learn best when theory classes can be complemented with practical application. We aim for all students to develop the knowledge, understanding, and skills to strengthen their sense of self, build and maintain satisfying relationships. Students develop critical inquiry skills to optimise health behaviour. To engage, inspire and motivate our students, our teachers use a range of teaching and learning strategies, including the use of ICT. Teachers equip students with the skills to become autonomous learners and critical thinkers by facilitating discussion and debate during theory classes to create meaningful and relevant content. In practical classes, students participate in weekly physical activity, which enhances their lifestyle both at school and beyond. A lifetime of healthy living is encouraged.
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Science Courses offered:
Years 7-10: • Mandatory Science
Years11-12: • Chemistry • Physics • Biology
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In Science we believe that our Students learn best when the processes of Science are supported through excellence in staff programming and lesson delivery. Experienced teachers engage students with productive pedagogies, a vast range of e-learning resources which support self-paced learning and independent student and community based resources and experiences. The Science Faculty is excited about the opportunities 2019 has to offer. Some exciting projects include the Sydney Easter Show competitions, The University of Sydney Kickstart programs for Year 11 and 12, Science Careers Expo and Women in STEM Presentations. The Science faculty is also looking forward to engaging students in Science Week and providing opportunities for students to attend Space Camp and other Science related Camps Our team of dedicated Scientists inspire students to students to achieve their very best in all areas of Science. We aim to develop student’s appreciation of how science contributes to finding solutions to personal, social and global issues relevant to their lives in the present and future.
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Technological & Applied StudiesCourses Offered: • YEAR 7 –8: Mandatory Technology
• Information Software Technology
• Agriculture
• Food Technology
• Built Environment
• Textiles
• Materials Technology
• YEAR 9 AND 10: Elective • Information Software Technology
• Graphics
• Agriculture
• Agri-foods
• Food Technology
• Industrial Technology Timber
• YEAR 11 AND 12: • Design and Technology • Engineering • Hospitality (VET)
In TAS we believe our students learn best when they are actively engaged in practical experiences. We for all students to be self-directed motivated and aware of the world around them to become good problem solvers and communicators.
We promote a collaborative, challenging and positive working environment that encourages intellectual growth and critical thinking. We integrate technology into learning experiences in meaningful ways that develop deep knowledge, understanding and skills.
Technological and applied studies (TAS) is one of the fastest-growing and most innovative subject areas. TAS teachers thrive on both the creative and practical challenges associated with teaching cutting edge subjects at APCS. Students complete a mandatory technology course in Years 7 and 8, allowing students to find creative solutions to meet the needs of society. Students can build on these skills to choose interest subjects in electives from Years 9 through to HSC.
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Creative & Performing Arts Courses Offered
YEAR 7:
• Mandatory Visual Arts
• Mandatory Music
YEAR 8:
• Mandatory Visual Arts
YEARS 9 – 10:
• Visual Arts Elective
• Music Elective
YEARS 11 AND 12:
• Music 1
• Visual Arts
The CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts) staff may be small in number at APCS but they make up for it in experience and enthusiasm. Mara O’Toole is our specialist teacher of visual arts and Leanne Winfield is music personified. As so much research tells us, it is the creative arts that best develop our critical thinking skills, enabling us to problem solve and to imagine. Our outstanding CAPA team does an amazing job of fostering the creative thinking skills of our school.
The following musical activities run throughout the year: • The Intermediate Band is open to all students from both primary and high school
who already have instrumental experience. The band rehearses on Tuesday mornings at 8.00am. New players are very welcome.
• High School Pop Choir is up and running on Thursdays at lunchtime. Any student in years 7-12 is welcome to join.
• The Alex Park Sapphires, our Aboriginal girls’ group is open this year to primary school girls (from yr 1) and high school girls. High School Sapphires rehearse on Mondays at lunch and Primary School Sapphires on Wednesday at lunch.
• Friday Jam operates on Fridays during high school lunch. It is a free time when any students from years 8-12 can come and make music using instruments and equipment in the music room.
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Careers APCS careers programs aim to expose students to a variety of opportunities throughout their senior years. The school works closely with many community organisations and tertiary institutions to help develop the best fit for each individual student post school pathway. All students are offered:
• The opportunity to undertake a school based part time traineeship, available in all industries
• Excursions, guest speakers and meetings at the school from a variety of university representatives
• Enterprise development opportunities and exposure to large corporations who offer mentoring programs, work experience, workshops and excursions
• Full time apprenticeships and traineeships are arranged for those students choosing a school to work pathway
• Access to dual accreditation vocational courses through weekly access to TAFE • Work experience • Scholarships and bonus point scheme applications for university placements for
exploration
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Wellbeing
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The Wellbeing team supports all students at Alexandria Park Community School. The team consists of Year Advisers, Learning and Support staff and the school counsellor who work together with all staff to ensure the cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of young people. Services and programs offered by the Wellbeing Team include;
• Individual student support and case management • Development of Individual Learning Plans and Health Plans • Student advocacy • Peer Support Program • Positive Behaviour for Learning • Referral and co-ordination of community agencies, support services and extra-
curricular activities • RAISE mentoring
The APCS Wellbeing Team is dedicated to nurturing a safe, respectful and supportive school environment which helps all students achieve their full potential.
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Year Advisors 2019 Year advisers support the wellbeing of the whole student through encouraging each student to
Connect, Succeed and Thrive
Year 7 Ms Maeve Thomson
Year 8 Ms Geraldine Prexl
Year 9 Mr Stewart OKell
Year 10 Mr Harry Jun
Year 11 Mr Nick Alexopoulos
Year 12 Ms Andrea Fatouros
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Differentiated Curriculum for all Students
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Our school enriches the curriculum for all students by providing differentiated curricula to best suit student needs.
In the selective classes, where student groupings differ from the core area, these students are supported by extension and enrichment within the class they have been allocated. Selective students complete the same curriculum as determined by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), the difference lies in how the curriculum is presented and the pace in which it is completed. Selective students are therefore exposed to curriculum differentiation aimed at extending students as a cohort and individual skills. All students need a curriculum that is modified or differentiated to provide them with an appropriate level of challenge. Differentiation ranges from slight to major modifications of the curriculum through adjustments to content, processes and A differentiated curriculum is a program of activities that offers a variety of entry points for students who differ in abilities, knowledge and skills. When a curriculum is differentiated teachers offer different approaches to what students learn (content), how students learn (process) and how students demonstrate what they have learned (product). Differentiated instruction is a mix of whole-class, group and individualised activities.
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Enrichment Programs
APCS run Enrichment Programs for students in Years 7- 10 on Tuesday afternoons. These programs provide challenging, engaging, and varied extra-curricular opportunities for students to develop new skills in a rich project-based learning environment. Each year cohort spends one term exploring each of the following program:
Healthy Living
Students participate in a range of activities to investigate how to live healthily in local urban environments. Activities include understanding how to make and maintain a vegetable patch, designing healthy recipes from the produce it creates, as well as physical movement and fitness regimes that can be done with no cost or equipment. At the end of the course students create a student health profile that explores how they could improve their health in the local community.
The Big History Project
The Big History Project (BHP) is a differentiated delivery of the online program which can be found at https://school.bighistoryproject.com/bhplive. BHP was inspired by the work of David Christian and is supported by Bill Gates. It is an amazing program that challenges:
“students to look at the world from many different perspectives…to inspire a greater love of learning and help them better understand how we got here, where we’re going, and how they fit in.”
The BHP is project-based learning at its most interesting and challenges critical, creative and ethical thinking!
STEAM STEAM is an integrated program encompassing Science, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. In this program students engage in project base learning in response to real world problems. This course is delivered by an expert team and aims to challenge and extend the critical and creative thinking of students.
Wellbeing Each term a Year group works with members of the Wellbeing team to look at issues related to their emotional and mental development and health. The program is adapted for the age group and began with Year 7 in Term 1. We examine issues such as bullying in all its forms and encourage students to learn empathy as a strategy to recognise and prevent it. Other topics include anxiety, positive self- image and organisational skills as a strategy to control stress in their lives.
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Extra-curricular Opportunities
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At APCS we facilitate many extra-curricular opportunities to support our students in attaining the best possible lifestyle outcomes. These groups meet either before or after school or during lunch. In 2018 the following opportunities are some we have on offer:
• contemporary music program • fitness club • community volunteering program • student environment committee • National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy
(NASCA) • artist-in-residence program • AIME program • school band • Model United Nations • breakfast club • senior pop choir • homework centre • music ensemble • concert band • social justice group • senior instrumental ensemble
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Positive Behaviour For Learning
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At APCS, we have a Positive Behaviour for Learning Student Management system. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is a School-wide positive behaviour support system Prevention of problem behaviour Proactive whole school process with:
o Agreed perspectives from all stakehold o Scaffolded support for staff and students
Our PBL system is underpinned by the following values:
• Be a Learner
• Be Respectful
• Be Safe
“PBL creates a positive environment that helps myself and others to focus and understand content within the classroom better. The significance of positive behaviour is vital in increasing knowledge not only limited to the classroom but within the world outside school. By following pbl values I get to discover the type of person I truly am and can find out new ways to better myself as an overall individual”
–Leo, Year 12
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BYOD (Bring your own device)
All students in Years 7 – 12 are required to bring their own computing device to school each day. Student devices need to meet the APCS BYOD device specifications. Students and parents are responsible for ensuring the device brought to school meets all the requirements of the BYOD device specifications. The BYOD device specifications identify the minimum system requirements/ hardware specifications for student devices and also offer guidance on some suggested makes and models so that parents are fully informed about requirements to ensure that each student's BYOD enhances their learning.
The personal device is to be brought to school fully charged and be used by the student throughout the school day for educational purposes. Prior to bringing a personal device for the first time, students and their parents must read and sign the BYOD User Charter, which sets out the responsibilities and expectations for use of the personal device at Alexandria Park Community School.
Students must then use their device in accordance with the school's Cyber Safety Policy, the Department of Education and Communities’ policy Online Communication Services: Acceptable Usage and their BYOD User Charter. Details of APCS BYOD device specifications, BYOD school policy and BYOD User Charter is available from our school website: http://www.alexparkcs-c.schools.nsw.edu.au/e-learning/byod/byod- information
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Homework Centre
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“I come to Homework Centre basically every week because it is highly beneficial to my learning, gives me an opportunity to work with friends and get a more thorough understanding of the work through asking the teachers for help.” (Igor, Year 11)
“I come every week and like it because by completing my homework when I get to class it helps my understanding of the content more.” (Jonathon C, Year 9)
“I come to homework centre almost every week because working with my friends helps me to work through hard assignments.” (Christine, Year 12)
APCS Secondary homework centre is open every Wednesday after school, 3pm – 5.30pm on the Buckland campus in the FLS. All students’ years 7-12 are welcome to come and do homework and assignments with help, if needed, from supervising teachers.
If you have any questions please feel free to call the senior office on: (02)96981967 or email:
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Assemblies Secondary Assembly occur fortnightly on Tuesdays at 12.30pm for students in years 7 - 12 The High School assembly is run by the senior SRC, school captains and DP Secondary
An overview of assembly structure can include the following:
• Acknowledgement of country • PBL messages • Presentation of achievement awards • Sports reports • Announcements by staff, students, SRC or guests • Class performances or presentation of work
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School Uniform
School shirt, navy blue shorts, navy blue skirt, navy blue socks & black shoes. The correct school uniform is expected to be worn to school every day
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Vision Statement
Alexandria Park Community School is a high performing school where our core business is to EDUCATE FOR SUCCESS. Our vision is that all students will achieve an inspiring future through continuous and uninterrupted quality educational opportunities provided from Kindergarten to Year 12. These experiences enable all students to LEARN, LEAD & SUCCEED. Our unique and vibrant school community setting reflects our position as the inner city Sydney hub for educational excellence and demonstrates our commitment to serve and respect our diverse local community through mutually authentic partnerships, collaborative decision making and respectful relationships.
STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
1 - Aspirational and achieving learners Purpose – To enable students to acquire the knowledge, skills and values to be autonomous and motivated learners for their ongoing personal success.
2- Teaching, professional learning and innovation Purpose - To embed collaborative professional practices in futures learning, teaching and continuity of curriculum outcomes K – 12.
3- An engaged and connected Kindergarten to Year 12 community Purpose - To enrich our Kindergarten to Year 12 community through quality relationships within and beyond our school community with the express purpose if improving outcome for students
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Park Road & Buckland Street Alexandria, NSW 2015
Telephone: 96981967
Website: http://www.alexparkcs-c.schools.nsw.edu.au
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